Reemergence of syphilis in Martinique, 2001-2008.

Syphilis reemerged in Martinique in 2004 and initially affected 3 HIV-infected patients. By March 2008, syphilis was diagnosed for 37 men and 18 women. As of October 31, 2009, this outbreak had not yet been brought under control. It initially affected mainly men who had sex with men before it spread to heterosexual persons, minority group members, and crack cocaine users.

Anicteric cholestasis among HIV infected patients with syphilis.

In Martinique, among 9 HIV carriers recently diagnosed with early syphilis, 7 had biologic cholestasis. Less than half of the patients had been diagnosed on clinical grounds for syphilis (cutaneous eruption or syphilis in partner), whereas most of them were diagnosed on a systematic screening of HIV infected patients.